Page:The Works of Ben Jonson - Gifford - Volume 6.djvu/148

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138
A TALE OF A TUB.
Grave justice Bramble next must contribute;
His charity must offer at this wedding:
I'll bid more to the bason and the bride-ale,
Although but one can bear away the bride.
I smile to think how like a lottery
These weddings are. Clay hath her in possession,
The 'squire he hopes to circumvent the Tile-kiln;
And now, if justice Bramble do come off,[1]
'Tis two to one but Tub may lose his bottom.
[Exit. 

SCENE II.

Kentish Town.

A Room in Turfe's House.

Enter Clench, Medlay, D'oge Scriben, Ball
Puppy, and Pan.

Clench. Why, it is thirty year, e'en as this day now,
Zin Valentine's day, of all days kursin'd,[2] look you;
And the zame day o' the month as this zin Valentine,
Or I am vowly deceived—

Med. That our high constable,
Master Tobias Turfe, and his dame were married:
I think you are right. But what was that zin Valentine?
Did you ever know 'un, goodman Clench?

Clench. Zin Valentine!
He was a deadly zin, and dwelt at Highgate,
As I have heard; but 'twas avore my time:

  1. If justice Bramble do come off.] i  e. pay well. See Massinger, vol. i. p. 210.
  2. Of all days kursin'd,] i.  e. christen'd. Whal. Thus Fletcher:
    "Are they kursin'd?
    No, they call them infidels."The Coxcomb.